24464019

Hi
At the beginning of 2022 summer, I found there was no AC, so I went to indy shop. they add some refrigerant saying compressor is leaking. But it was ok for the rest 2 months and lost AC gradually by the end of summer, so I didnt change it(summer in Massachusetts is short)
Then at the beginning 2023, I went to another shop. They added refrigerant and die, but found no leaking spot, they said maybe last year, those guys didnt add refrigerant to full and refrigerant got consumed normally. And it was totally fine during last summer.

But today, the first time of the year I started AC. I found there is some feeling of cool, but I believe it is very little. So should I change the compressor(but I didnt see any color points around it, so I am not sure it is the compressor leaking) or I just refill the refrigerant at the beginning of each summer and forget this problem?

24464019

Or should I try to add some stop leak too when I add refrigerant?

Found this one: InterDynamics Car Air Conditioner, Certified A/C Pro Refrigerant Leak Stop Kit for R134A Car Air Conditioners, 3 Oz Each
rating says: "Fixed AC that lost pressure every summer."

griffiths

1) Refrigerant does not get "consumed". If it leaves the system you have a leak. The leak can be 'permeation' (very slow and minuscule) through non barrier (older design rubber composite) AC lines used prior to introduction of R134a refrigerant or in rubber AC lines that are cracked or damaged. A component such as front condenser, evaporator, expansion valve (TEV), the evaporator core (common), an o-ring or seal.
2) Dye will only come out of a leak point if the pressure in the system is high enough to push the refrigerant oil/dye out of the leak. You can have a leak when the system pressure is high enough but not when its not.
You can only see the dye where you can see the dye. If its hidden behind something, say its inside the evaporator box or behind a panel such as the LH front fender inside cover concealing the drier, you won't see it.
Hence, what is used is an electronic leak detector that can sniff out the leak.
3) Stay away from leak sealants. Certified or not. They can create more problems than you want to solve.

E39Nutz

Identify where the leak is and fix that before throwing money away for parts.

24464019

Thanks! But sounds like the problem is very complicated...

So should I just recharge it at the beginning of each summer? It will last for a whole summer and only cost about $50 each year, way cheaper and convenient than finding the leak and sealing it/changing parts
My main concern is if the leak is in evaporator, the leaking R134a may get in to the carbine air and cause health problem.

ManoTexas

A/C used for more than summer cooling, eg defrosting. It will run often as part of system unless you manually turn it off. Run with no Freon and you’ll damage system. You got a nice car, find shop to diagnose and get it fixed.

24464019

I see, thanks!
So then I should leave the AC on even during the winter? I mean the keep on the light the AC button near the shift lever.
Or it will automatically starts even with that light is off?

griffiths

Ohh..... its a matter of simplicity and money. .

Well, if you feel it will only cost you $50 per year to get some personal satisfaction, what can I say... What ever floats your boat!
But, if you are truly concerned about your own personal health problems, or other occupants inside the car,
and not the people around the world who are living with your ... ah, "selfism", then their health, the world environment, should certainly not be
of any of your concern. Whether you decide to kill us with R134a or R12.

21Pan4

If r134a leaks to the environment it's no problem. It can be legally vented to the atmosphere depending where you live.

Don't guess at what's the problem. It could be as simple as a $1 O-ring that needs replacing. If I was you I'd just top it up with a small DIY can of r134a and go on with life or have a pro fix it correctly.

NEVER add stop leak to any vehicle system. It almost always makes things worse in the end (much more expensive repair).

chaos2984

Don't worry about damaging the system. That won't happen due to how the system is designed. There is a low pressure switch built into the system where if the pressure gets below a certain psi, It will not operate or shut off the compressor. You can have a cycling issue but you would have to be at the point where the system is low enough on freeon.

Normally the compressor either works or it doesn't. I would want to see evidence of it actually being the leak before replacing something like that on a whim. I would want to hunt down the leak.

ManoTexas

Good info. You can tell I’ve owned old cars without that switch lol. 244- you should leave a/c on and it’ll auto come on when needed. As several people have stated get good shop to track down the issue and fix.

digs

My Porsche dealer told me condensers are common failure items in Panamera AC systems ? Connection points or something like that ? So I agree with finding the issue if its acting up .

I used Westwood for an AC recharge /service . They knew right where the common failure points were . It can be direct with techs familiar with the car ?

24464019

Then what is Westwood? is it a chain shop? Cant find it on Google

Shuga

People are going to hate me for this one. Try AC pro. It's not expensive and it will last the summer and you can do it in your driveway...

Think about how long you're going to keep the car for before you start throwing tons of money into the A/C system.

digs

Its a Porsche dealer in Westwood ,ma